• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2009

In this study, we conducted heat-treatment on freshwater cultured pearls at various conditions in other to improve their color. Also, after heat treatment, we used the UV-Vis, ED-XRF and SEM to investigate changes freshwater cultured pearls' color, composition and internal structure. UV-Vis analysis showed the reflectivity of samples increased at most heat-treatment conditions although the reflectivity decreased at a certain temperature and duration. At $100^{\circ}c$/8 h, $120^{\circ}c$/6 h and $140^{\circ}c$/4 h, the reflectivity increased highest. In proportion to reflectivity increase, freshwater cultured pearls' color was improved. Ca, Mn, Sr and other micro elements were found from ED-XRF analysis. However, changes in composition of elements were not detected. It was found that the content of Mn in freshwater cultured pearl is higher than other micro elements. From SEM analysis, aragonite's shape was shown in narce and some of the narce were condensed after heat treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.315-319
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• 2003

The quality, quantity, color, and characteristics were found out cultured seawater pearls and freshwater pearls. In the XRF measurement Ca chemical combinations were the main elements and Sr was detected at higher levels for the sea-water pearl and Si, S, Ca, Mn, P and other elements were found at higher levels for the fresh-water pearls. Such differences is judged to be caused by the ion diluted in sea and fresh water which affects the pearl elements. Although near similar structural peak was shown for the FT-IR measurement, the fresh-water pearl showed a lower peak for the 2344 wave. For the results of PL, the peak for fresh-water measured with Hd-Cd Laser at 455 nm was higher and with the Ar-ion Laser measurements, peaks were high at 545 nm and 570 nm for fresh-water pearl and sea-water pearls respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.243-251
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• 2008

Analyses of UV-Vis spectrum and reflectance are useful tools to identify pearls of which color was naturally made or chemically changed. Contents of some trace elements of pearls by using ED-XRF may give us the information that the pearls were originated from marine shells or freshwater shells, and may give us whether the pearls were chemically treated or not. Three types of chemically untreated pearls, freshwater cultured, Akoya cultured and Tahitian cultured, were treated with silver nitrate. UV-Vis absorbance spectrum of Ag was changed after treatment, and reflectance of pearls was decreased. Absorbance of natural black colored Tahitian cultured pearls at 400, 500 and 700 nm was observed. Natural black colored freshwater cultured pearls showed two characteristic absorption patterns in UV-Vis spectra at 380-400, 480-500 nm. Unlike naturally black colored Tahitian cultured pearls, the absorption spectrum at 700 nm could not be found from black freshwater cultured pearls. Manganese was not detected in the pearls from marine shells, and strontium content of the pearls from marine cultured shells was higher than that from freshwater cultured shells. According to ED-XRF analysis, Ag contents of silver nitrate treated pearls increased as more time passed, because silver ion invaded to nacre layer of the pearls. Since Ag content of the black pearls known as untreated ranged under 0.1%, analysis of Ag content may used to distinguish the black pearls are treated or not in marketplace.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2012

Various antibiotics, that could induce the appearance of resistant microorganisms, have been used for treatment or prevention of bacterial diseases in marine and ornamental fish. We determined and characterized the level of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and proportion of multi-drug resistant bacteria in intestinal microflora of both marine fish cultured in Korea and imported ornamental freshwater fish. For this the bacterial species and resistance to antibiotics were investigated in intestine of rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus cultured in Korea and pearl gourami Trichogaster leeri imported from Singapore to characterise. Although the bacterial species were different, proportions of resistant bacteria to single antibiotics or multi-drug were higher in intestinal microflora of pearl gourami Trichogaster leeri imported from Singapore than in rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus cultured in Korea. These results indicate that various antibiotics have been being used before trading without measures in the market of asian ornamental fishes, providing high risks for the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 2011

The effect of ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation on the color of nucleus and cultured pearls was investigated. After ($^{60}Co$) ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation on the pearl nucleus, its color was altered from brownish to blackish brown or gray depending on irradiation dose. It was clearly found that the all samples are composed of aragonite. ESR spectra were based on the measurement of the paramagnetic species $CO_2$-radicals by the interaction with the ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation in $Mn^{2+}$ containing $CaCO_3$. In this study, we investigated optimal detection method of ${\gamma}$-ray irradiation to establish destructive or non-destructive test for pearl nucleus.